Kataka: Hindi film Iqbal touched many hearts with the story of a young cricketer who could neither speak nor hear, but refused to let those challenges come in the way of his dream of playing for India. Played by Shreyas Talpade, the character battled every obstacle with determination before eventually earning his chance at the highest level, with his coach, played by Naseeruddin Shah, standing firmly by his side. Years later, Odisha has found its own real-life ‘Iqbal’ in 19-year-old Sibun Nanda. Like the character in the film, Nanda cannot hear or speak, but cricket has given him a language of its own.
Every delivery he bowls, every run he scores and every match he plays tells a story of perseverance, ambition and an unwavering belief in himself. His journey has already taken him to the India Deaf Cricket team, where he has represented the country twice. But for Nanda, that achievement is not the end of the story. It is only the beginning. The youngster from Brahmapur now dreams of playing Ranji Trophy cricket and, one day, wearing the India jersey at the highest level. His journey is still unfolding, but his ambition remains clear — to show that sometimes, the loudest dreams are the ones that need no words. The all-rounder from Brahmapur, Odisha, began his cricket journey at the Khailikote College Ground.
A right-handed batter and right-arm fast bowler, Nanda has already taken a significant step in his career by representing India in Deaf Cricket and has been a part of the Odisha U19 team for the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy (BCCI Domestic Tournaments) since the last three seasons. Nanda, who is part of the Kataka Panthers in the Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League—CM Trophy, has represented India in two matches in Deaf Cricket.
For the youngster, wearing the India jersey has been a moment of immense pride, but he believes it is only the beginning. “My vision is to progress further in cricket and regularly represent India. I have already played two matches for India in Deaf Cricket, which is a very big achievement and a matter of pride for me. But my dream does not end there. I want to play in the Ranji Trophy, and if I get the opportunity, I also want to represent India’s senior cricket team. For that, I am completely focused on regular practice, fitness and performance. My dream is to make Odisha, my family and my supporters proud through my performances,” Nanda said. Communication on the cricket field, meanwhile, has never stopped him from expressing himself. Nanda says he communicates with his teammates through hand signals, gestures and eye contact, relying on mutual understanding to stay connected during matches. “I don’t face any major difficulty while playing. During matches, we communicate with each other through hand signals, gestures and eye contact. For me, communication is not just about speaking; it is also about understanding each other,” he explained.
Born and brought up in Berhampur’s Radha Krishna Billa Street, near Gate Bazar, Nanda comes from a family where his father works as a priest and astrologer. His cricketing journey began at the Khalikote College Ground, where he started learning and playing the game. Over the years, his dedication has taken him from the local ground to the India Deaf Cricket setup and now to the Odisha T20 League. Nanda is an all-rounder, capable of contributing with both bat and ball. As he continues to develop his game, he draws inspiration from two of India’s most recognised all-round talents. “My favourite cricketers are MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya,” he said.
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